TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s January export orders were NT$1.53 trillion (US$46.97 billion), down 3% and ending 10 months of growth, according to a Ministry of Economics Affairs report on Thursday.

MOEA Department of Statistics Director Huang Yu-ling (黃于玲) said due to the Lunar New Year slump, electronic products were the only category among the seven to see growth in January, with orders reaching US$17.71 billion, the second highest for the same period in history, per CNA.

Huang explained that strong demand for AI and high-performance computing drove integrated circuit orders. However, the Lunar New Year period offset the growth for IC chip design. Orders from the US increased by US$1.64 billion.

Meanwhile, information and communication technology product orders were US$12.06 billion, a 13.3% year-on-year decline. Orders of mobile phones and laptops decreased again due to the Lunar New Year. 

Even so, AI server and networking product orders increased, partially offsetting the decline.

Additionally, orders for backlight modules and lenses declined, but demand for optical inspection and measuring equipment grew, offsetting some of the decline. Orders for optical products totaled US$1.58 billion, a slight 0.3% year-on-year decrease.

Huang said the international landscape is rapidly evolving as the US changes its policies under President Donald Trump. As global conditions fluctuate, manufacturers’ responses will be reflected in order volumes, she added.